Look To The Stars News: Jon Stewart

Comedians To Stand Up For Peace At NYC Event

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:30:00 -0000

The Seeds of Peace Young Leadership Committee will hold its annual StandUp for Peace benefit on January 6th at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.

The evening will feature comedians Dean Obeidallah, Scott Blakeman, Maysoon Zaid, Seth Herzog, and Jessi Klein. Aasif Mandvi of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show is set to host the “disarmingly funny” event.

Founded in 1993, the Seeds of Peace program seeks to empower youth from areas of historic conflict with leadership development in areas such as empathy, respect, communication skills, and conflict resolution in order to help foster peace for the next generation. Training in consensus-building skills is provided at the organization’s International Camp in Maine and continues in the participants’ home countries following their return.

The StandUp for Peace benefit was first started by Scott Blakeman and Dean Obeidallah, two comedians of Jewish and Muslim backgrounds. The two often discussed politics and the crisis in the Middle East, and eventually decided to put their common interests—politics and comedy—together in the form of standup. They collaborated to produce a series of shows that featured comedians of Arab-American and Jewish backgrounds in order to encourage and promote peaceful dialogue amongst people with differing perspectives.

Dean Obeidallah recently spoke to Look to the Stars about the event and why he thinks humor can open the door to mutual understanding.

“I believe strongly that comedy can be used to bring people together as well as raise important issues,“ he said. "There is a legacy in the US of using comedy as a type of social activism as seen in the past with comics like Richard Pryor and Lenny Bruce and which continues today with comics like Chris Rock and Jon Stewart – to name a few. I think comedy is a great way to disarm people and make them feel comfortable with issues that they may not be interested in if it was a traditional speech. When people of opposing viewpoints are laughing together in the same room at the same jokes, it can’t help but to bring people together -even if it’s just a little bit.”

This dialogue, Dean reiterated, is particularly relevant given the current tenor of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“I believe that in times of heightened conflict in the Middle East – like what is going on now in Gaza – it’s even more important that we bring together people of different backgrounds and religions who support a peaceful solution to the Middle East conflict. It’s easy to talk about peace when things are calm – but it’s in times like this that it’s even more important to bring together the voices who support peace so that they don’t lose faith and in the hopes that we can encourage others to speak out and get involved in support of this cause.”

Look to the Stars would like to thank Dean Obeidallah for taking the time to speak to us about the upcoming StandUp for Peace benefit. Learn more about StandUp for Peace and Seeds of Peace by visiting their websites.

To Purchase tickets, click here.

Grab Heidi Klum's Jacket For 15 Below

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fancy slipping into a jacket signed by supermodel Heidi Klum or Sir Elton John? Now’s your chance – the 15 Below Project’s charity auction has been extended.

The 15 Below Project is an initiative between clothes designers TAXI and The Salvation Army to create a cheap but high quality jacket for the homeless.

“It’s a lifeline for people without homes. They’re a pretty low-cost, immediate way to address a huge issue,” said Paul Lavoie, co-founder, chairman, and chief creative officer of TAXI. “Our approach to solving problems – of any sort – has always been to question convention. This won’t eliminate homelessness, but it can make a lot of people more comfortable.“

Since November, celebrity-signed 15 Below jackets have been on auction, with stars such as Michael Stipe, Kid Rock, Robert Plant, Michael Caine, Jon Stewart and Nelly Furtado autographing the items. Although those auctions have finished, Klum and Sir Elton have now come to the party by donating signed jackets.

But wait – there’s more! Klum hasn’t only donated a jacket, but has also included two pairs of jeans from the clothing line she designed for Jordache.

These auctions end on December 11. The jackets have multiple pockets and are both warm and waterproof. When not being worn, the jacket can be folded into a backpack for easy transportation, or used as a pillow. To bid on Heidi Klum’s jacket and jeans, click here, and for Sir Elton’s item, click here.

Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special For Charity

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Stephen Colbert will host his own holiday special this Sunday, November 23, with the show being released as a charity DVD next week.

“A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All” is an hour-long tongue-in-cheek extravaganza with the Colbert Report host belting out Christmas hits from Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, and even David Bowie.

“This is just some good fun to watch during your eggnog-induced dementia,” Colbert joked.

During the show, Colbert will be joined by Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Jon Stewart, John Legend, and Elvis Costello to sing Christmas songs penned by “Daily Show” executive producer David Javerbaum and composed by Adam Schlesinger.

“I had a clear, clear command to everyone involved: ‘No cynicism,’” said Colbert. “We’re not mocking Christmas specials. We’re doing MY Christmas special. And that was the aesthetic we tried to bring into it. Like, we’re really doing this. I want people to see this every year.”

Costume pieces from the special will be auctioned to benefit Feeding America, and a percentage of the DVD proceeds – to be released on Tuesday, November 25 – will also go to the charity.

The auction can be accessed via the Colbert Nation MySpace page, and the show will go to air on Sunday at 10 p.m. EST on Comedy Central.

Star Goodies Up For Grabs In Charity Auctions

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Television Academy Foundation is offering an array of exclusive items and experiences to bidders through a special online charity auction hosted by eBay Giving Works.

All proceeds from the auction – which can be accessed through the eBay Giving Works website – will benefit the educational outreach programs of the Television Academy Foundation, as well as the preservation efforts of the Archive of American Television, whose aim is to create an interactive encyclopedia of television history.

A wide range of items are available, including bikes signed by Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, VIP tickets to The Daily Show and signed memorabilia from Jon Stewart, a set visit to CSI: New York, VIP tickets and meet and greets to Jimmy Kimmel Live, and signed memorabilia from the casts of Saving Grace, Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, Rescue Me, Law and Order, King of the Hill, Smallville, and Battlestar Galactica.

The auction runs until September 4.

Also running at the moment is the Celebrity Bric-A-Brac charity auction raising funds for AMREF UK – the leading health development organisation in Africa, saving and transforming the lives of some of the poorest and most marginalised people in Africa.

Items up for offer include Ian McKellen’s slippers, Mischa Barton’s handbag, Lily Allen’s dress, and memorbilia signed by Noel Gallagher, Will Young, and Jodie Kidd.

But you must be quick, the auction – which can be accessed through eBay – ends on September 1.

Celebrities Unite For Earth Day

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:32:47 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Tomorrow, April 22, will see one of the largest global events uniting the planet against climate change to be held this year. Millions of evironmentally-minded people around the planet will hold events to celebrate the 38th annual Earth Day, a massive campaign focussing on global warming and raising awareness for a cleaner environment.

First held in 1970, and established by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event marks the anniversary of the modern environmental movement. All over the world, the day will see concerned citizens of the planet out in force, calling for action against global warming and a healthy, sustainable environment. Breakfasts, Scuba diving contests, celebrations, parties, wine and food festivals, marathons, and concerts are just some of the thousands of events that have been planned around the globe by the Earth Day Network, the driving-force behind the event.

One of the major campaigns being promoted in the US as part of Earth Day 2008 is the Call For Climate initiative, which encourages people to ring Congress and demand climate change action to be taken.

“It doesn’t take a doctor on Scrubs to tell you our climate is changing,” said Zach Braff, who has joined Kevin Bacon and Chevy Chase in recording messages encouraging people to support the campaign. “Earth Day Network wants you to call Congress on Earth Day, April 22, and ask them to take tough and fair action on climate change. Put this number in your phone now – 202 224 3121. That’s Congress. Ask your representative or senator to bring us a healthier climate.”

Washington DC has already kicked off its Earth Day celebrations with a huge concert held on Sunday, featuring performances by Jordin Sparks, The Roots, O.A.R. and more. Speakers at the event included Russell Simmons, Edward Norton, and Tom Friedman.

Also as part of Earth Day, the Waterkeeper Alliance is running a very special auction featuring celebrity experiences, exciting autographed items, and fabulous vacations. Be sure to visit the Charity Buzz website to bid on items such as a day on the set of Damages with Glenn Close, signed X-Files memorabilia from David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, a copy of The Comeback DVD signed by Lisa Kudrow, tickets to see Jack Johnson in Ohio, VIP tickets to see The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Dr Phil, as well as the opportunity to have lunch with Alicia Silverstone and MacGyver himself, Richard Dean Anderson. The auction runs until April 29.

For more information on Earth Day – and to find events in your area – visit the official Earth Day website.

Stewart to Host Night Of Too Many Stars

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:53:19 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart is set to host the Night Of Too Many Stars, an “Overbooked Concert For Autism Education”, on April 13th. The music-and-laughter-packed event will be televised live from The Beacon Theatre in New York City.

Some of the guests joining the comic news anchor in the fundraising efforts are Matthew Broderick, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Conan O’Brien, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Proceeds of the evening will be split among autism education programs, including new schools which provide vocational and life skills for teenagers and adults with autism, and outreach programs which provide training and consultation to families of young autistic children. A portion of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks, an organization which funds research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, while raising public awareness about the disorder.

Other performers spending their time raising autism awareness at the event are Will Arnett, Rosie O’Donnell, Maroon 5, Kevin James and Amy Poehler. Past performers have included Martin Short and Ricky Gervais.

Autism is a growing concern in the US, as one in 150 children is diagnosed with the neurological disorder, and the number of new cases is growing rapidly. Severely autistic children are unable to communicate and understand, leaving them incapable of functioning normally in the world; even playing with other children can be impossible.

For ticket information and more information about the event, visit the Night Of Too Many Stars website.

Celebrities Fuel Robin Hood Charity Excess

Mon, 07 May 2007 20:19:47 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

This year’s Robin Hood fundraiser saw top-tier investors driven by good-natured rivalry and celebrity encouragement to give a massive $71 million to charity.

Individual pledges of up to $10 million were made, totalling around $40 million, and guests participated enthusiastically in an auction of unique and decadent lots.

Winning bids included $400,000 to sing a song with Aerosmith (whose singer Steven Tyler performed for two hours of the evening), $1.3 million for a 10-person dinner with celebrity chef Mario Batali, and $2.2 million for an insider trip to the Beijing Olympics.

The annual event is expertly marketed to its guest list of hedge fund managers and private equity high-fliers. Presiding auctioneer Jamie Niven, of Sotheby’s, said, “They put these things together that in your lifetime you couldn’t do. It’s the secret for that audience. You can’t give them a week in Rome. They can do that.”

Tom Brokaw began the evening, and comedian
Jon Stewart played host. Mingling with the super-rich was a liberal sprinkling of further celebrities including Michael Douglas, Ben Affleck, Jimmy Fallon, Zach Braff and Martha Stewart.

This year’s donations exceeded those of last year by 32 percent, and the Robin Hood event has given more than $900 million in cash and donated services since it began in 1990, when it raised $700,000.

Comic Relief Brings Laughter to New Orleans

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:12:33 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams are back to host the 20th Anniversary of the US Comic Relief event this Saturday, November 19th. After an eight-year hiatus, the beloved event has returned to raise funds for New Orleans and the people still suffering from the effects of last year’s hurricane. Comedians such as Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Ray Romano and Roseanne Barr have joined the cause.

The show will take place at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas as part of The Comedy Festival, with tickets starting at $95. For those unable to attend in person, the three-hour concert will appear simultaneously on HBO and TBS from 9pm to Midnight EST.

This year a special Comic Relief concert has been scheduled in New Orleans to coincide with the regular Las Vegas show. The event will be held at Harrah’s Fulton Street promenade and is free to the public. Wayne Brady is the host of this show, and he will be joined by entertainers such as Louie Anderson and Tom Arnold.

Since 1986, Comic Relief has raised more than $50 million, with 100% of the proceeds going to programs such as aiding the homeless and helping victims of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Much of this year’s proceeds will go to a local non-profit group which is rebuilding New Orleans’ traditional narrow, rectangular houses for low-income families.

Jon Stewart to Appear With L.A. Mayor to Benefit Geffen Playhouse

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 18:03:28 -0000

Written by Robert Powers

Famed Daily Show host Jon Stewart and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will perform at L.A.’s Geffen Playhouse on November 17 for a performance to benefit the theater itself.

“Anything goes,” the theater’s producing director, Gilbert Cates, told the Los Angeles Times. Stewart and Villaraigosa are set to share the stage for the entirety of the evening, as their performance should take on the form of an extended conversation. Audience members will be invited to participate by asking the two performers questions during a special open-mic segment.

The Geffen Playhouse is raising funds to account for the more than $3 million left it has to pay on its $19 million renovating and remodeling costs. In 2002, music mogul David Geffen gave $5 million to the theater through the David Geffen Foundation.

Tickets for the event are selling at prices ranging from $250 to $500 and can be claimed as tax-deductible. For another $500, ticket holders will be able to attend a special VIP pre-performance cocktail party. To purchase tickets, visit the Geffen Playhouse website at www.geffenplayhouse.com.

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